Antisoiling treatment of a fibrous material and the treated material



United States Patent 3 494,788 ANTISOILING TREATMENT OF A FIBROUS MATERIAL AND THE TREATED MATERIAL Alvin E. Bey, Midland, Mich., assignor to Dow Corning Corporation, Midland, Mich., a corporation of Michigan No Drawing. Filed Apr. 26, 1967, Ser. No. 633,716 Int. Cl. D06m 13/02 US. Cl. 117139.5 10 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Fibrous materials are given antisoiling properties by treating them with an emulsion of a solid siloxane copolymer consisting of 50 to 95% by weigh-t of RSi0 units and to 50% by weight of R' SiO and/or R" SiO units, wherein each R, R and R is a hydrocarbon or substituted hydrocarbon radical containing from 1 to 7 carbon atoms, and then drying the material.

This invention relates to a process for imparting antisoiling properties to fibrous materials.

More specifically, this invention relates to a process for the treatment of a fibrous material which comprises applying to the fibrous material an emulsion of a solid siloxane copolymer consisting of 50 to 95 by Weight of RSiO units and 5 to 50% by weight of R' SiO units and R" SiO units wherein each R, R and R" radical is selected from the group consisting of hydrocarbon and substituted hydrocarbon radicals containing from 1 to 7 carbon atoms, and then drying the fibrous material.

The process of this invention can be used for the treatment of any fibrous material Whether it be of natural or synthetic origin. Like any of the currently available treatments, the process and various siloxane copolymers of this invention perform better on some fibrous materials than on others. None-the-less, the treatment made in accordance with the process of this invention imparts improved soiling resistant properties to all fibrous materials. The fibrous materials that can be treated employing the process of this invention include, for example, those made from wool, jute, flax, asbestos, cotton, rayon, nylon, acrylics, polyacrylonitrile, polyvinylidene chloride, polyesters, cellulose acetate, glass and mixtures or blends thereof.

As stated above, the fibrous material is treated with an emulsion of a solid siloxane copolymer consisting of 50 to 95 by weight RSiO units and 5 to 50% by weight of R SiO and/or R SiO units wherein each R, R and R" is a hydrocarbon or substituted hydrocarbon radical containing from 1 to 7 carbon atoms. By a solid siloxane it is meant that the siloxane is neither gaseous or liquid upon evaporation of the water'from the emulsion although it can be in the latter state while in emulsion. For best results, upon evaporation of the water from the emulsion the siloxane that is deposited should be a friable or brittle solid, the former being preferred. Of course, mixtures of the copolymers can be employed if so desired. Preferably the amount of the RSiO units is in the range of 60 to 80% and the amount of the R' SiO and R" SiO units is in the range of 20 to 40%.

The R, R and R" radicals of the siloxane units can be alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, alkaryl or aralkyl radicals, and these radicals can contain substituents such as halogen atoms or amino, mercapto, hydroxyl, epoxy, acrylato, cyano and carboxy su-bstituents so long as there are no more than seven carbon atoms in the radical. Specific illustrative examples of these radicals are the methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, arnyl, hexyl, heptyl, vinyl, allyl, hexenyl, propargyl, cyclohexyl, phenyl, tolyl, benzyl,

chloromethyl, 3,3,3 trifluoropropyl, dichlorophenyl, aminopropyl, aminobutyl, H NCH CH NH(CH H NCH CH NHCH CH CH CH mercapto-propyl, mercaptoethyl, hydroxypropyl,

CH, ,=CHCOO( CH CH :C( CH COO (CH cyanopropyl, cyanoethyl, carboxyethyl and carboxyphenyl radicals. The methyl and mercaptopropyl are preferred.

The emulsions used in the process of this invention can be prepared by the emulsion polymerization of a mixture of the appropriate silanes and/or siloxanes employing the techniques set forth in detail in US. 'Patents 2,891,920 and 3,294,725, and French Patent 1,460,203, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

The emulsions can be applied to the fibrous materials in any desired manner. For example, the fibers can 'be dipped in or passed through the emulsion, or the emulsion can be padded, brushed, sprinkled or sprayed onto the fibrous material. At the present time the preferred method of applying the emulsion is to spray it onto the material, for example from an aerosol.

Another way in which the emulsion can be applied to the material is to incorporate it in a cleaning formulation. This is a particularly useful means, for example, for applying the emulsion to rugs or carpeting once they are in place in a home or business establishment since it allows one to both clean and impart soiling resistance to the material in one operation. Best results are usually obtained, however, by first cleaning the carpeting and then applying the siloxane.

As pointed out above, the emulsion can be applied to the material by the consumer. However, the emulsions can also be applied to cloth or carpeting, for example, at the place of manufacture. It is also possible to apply the emulsions to the yarn prior to its use in making the finished article. Other points of applications will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Generally speaking, it is preferred that the siloxane be applied to the fibrous material so as to achieve a weight pick-up in the range of 0.1 to 2% siloxane solids based on the weight of the fibrous material. Best results can usually be obtained in the range of 0.4 to 0.8%. Although more than 2% siloxane can be applied, the additional advantage (if any) usually is not justified by the increased cost. With respect to carpets and the like materials, this means that it is preferred that the siloxane be applied to the material in a quantity in the range of 0.1 to 1.5 g. of siloxane solids per square foot of material. Optimum results can usually be obtained when the amount applied is in the range of 0.3 to 0.6 g. per square foot. When the siloxane is employed in a cleaning formulation, a rug or carpet shampoo for example, it is preferred that at least 0.4 g. per square foot be applied. The concentration of the siloxane in the emulsion is not critical and is immaterial to the process.

After the emulsion has been applied, the fibrous material is dried. Drying can be accomplished by any suitable means. For example, the simplest rneans of drying involves exposing the treated fibrous material to the air and allowing the water to evaporate. Of course, the drying can be accelerated by blowing air or some other suitable gas (particularly a gas that has been heated) across the material. Drying can also be accomplished by passing the treated material through an oven. Other means of drying the material will be obvious to those skilled in the art.

In order that those skilled in the art may better understand how the present invention can be practiced, the following examples are given by way of illustration and not by way of limitation.

- 3 All parts and percents referred to herein are on a weight basis unless otherwise specified.

EXAMPLE 1 The synthetic dirt used in this example was prepared as follows. 748 g. of minus 30 mesh peat moss, 109 g. of calcium carbonate, 21 g. of silica, 21 g. of cement, 21 g. of kaolin clay, 5 g. of furnace black and 1 g. of red iron oxide were placed in a bucket and mixed by hand. The mixture was then put into two Pyrex dishes and dried in a 100 C. oven for two hours. The mixture was then placed in a ball mill for two hours, 11 g. of mineral oil having been added at the end of the first hour.

Three different types of carpets were treated. One was a pale green, cut twist, wool carpet with a V8" pile. Another was a light yellow, cut, acrylic carpet with a /2" pile. The other was a light tan, loop, nylon carpet with a pile. One half of 6" x 6" pieces of these carpets were sprayed at 40 p.s.i. with various siloxane copolymer emulsions containing 0.34% siloxane solids. The solids pick-up was 3.6 g. per square yard. After the treatment the samples were dried at 100 C. for 60 minutes and then rolled for 30 minutes in a 30 gallon drum containing 20 g. of the above described synthetic dirt for each 100 g.- ofcarpet and 25 No. 7 rubber stoppers. After soiling in this manner the samples were cleaned carefully with a vacuum sweeper, and then rated, treated side versus untreated side, by means of a photoelectricrreflection meter (Model 610 by Photovolt'Corporation). The reflectance of untreated, unsoiled, carpet was also measured. The elfectiveness of the treatment was then determinedusing the following formula and the reflectance readings.

Treated (soiled)Untreated (soiled) Untreated (unsoiled) Untreated (soiled) X lOO=Rating material which comprises applying to the fibrous textile material an emulsion of a solid siloxane copolymer consisting of to 95% by Weight of RSiO units and 5 to 50% by weight of at least one unit selected from the group consisting of R' SiO units and R" SiO units wherein each R, R and R radical is selected from the group consisting of hydrocarbon and substituted hydrocarbon radicals containing from 1 to 7 carbon atoms, and then drying the fibrous textile material, whereby antisoiling properties are imparted to the fibrous textile material.

2. The process of claim 1 wherein R is selected from the group consisting of the methyl, ethyl, vinyl, phenyl 3-chloropropyl, 3-mercaptopropyl and 3,3,3-trifluoropropyl radicals, and each R and R" is a methyl radical.

3. The process of claim 2 wherein the fibrous material is a fabric.

4. The process of claim 2 wherein the fibrous material is carpeting.

5. The process of claim 4 wherein the siloxane copolymer consists of CH SiO and (CH SiO units.

6. The process of claim 4 wherein the siloxane copolymer consists of HSCH CH CH SiO and (CH SiO units.

7. The process of claim 4 wherein the siloxane copolymer consists of CH SiO and (CH SiO units.

8. A fibrous textile material having anti-soiling properties containing on at least a portion of its surface a solid siloxane copolymer consisting of 50 to 95% by weight of RSiO units and 5 to 50% by weight of at least one unit selected from the group consisting of R SiO units and R Sio units wherein each R, R and R" radical is selected from the group consisting .of hydrocarbon and substituted hydrocarbon radicals containing from 1 to 7 carbon atoms.

9. The fibrous material of claim 8 which is in the form of carpeting and wherein R is selected from the group consisting of the methyl, ethyl, vinyl, phenyl, 3-

Weight Carpet and rating ratio of Gopolymer Siloxane units units Surfactant 1 Wool Acrylic Nylon A CHaSiOa z (CHQaSiOr/z 66/34 Cationic 54 80 69 B- CH3SlO3/2(CH3)3sio1/: 80/20 do 56 82 75 0.. CH3Sio3/I(CH3)3siO1/2 66/34 An1on1c 0 9 24 D CHzSiOS/i (CH3) i0 /40 Cationic- 28 28 27 E CH SiOa/z (CH )zSiO 80/20 do 53 91 50 F 3SiOz/2 (CHahSiO 95/5 do- 50 69 59 G C5H5SiO3 g (CHQzSiO 50/50 do 26 0 23 H OuH5Si03 (CH3)rSiO 80/20 Anionic 0 22 14 I CsHsSiOa/n CsHs(CH3)SiO 60/40 Cationic 20 0 15 1 The cationic surfactant employed was lauryltrimethyl ammonium hydroxide and the anionic surfactant employed was dodecylbenzene sultonic acid.

EXAMPLE 2 When the siloxane copolymers specified below are substituted for the copolymers of the previous example, similar results are obtained.

(B) CgH SiOa 2 (E) HSCHaCHzCHzSiOm (CH3)2SiO (CH3) SiO1/Z That which is claimed is:

1. A process for the treatment of a fibrous textile UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,588,365 3/1952 Dennett 117161 2,588,366 3/1952 Dennett 117161 2,914,836 12/1959 Montgomery 2872 WILLIAM D. MARTIN, Primary Examiner THEODORE G. DAVIS, Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 117141, 160,161 

